“I’m in love. People in love do crazy stuff all the time. Besides—” He presses his lips to my hair. “—you’re worth every moment of insanity.”
“Easton,” I mumble.
“Maya.”
He twists my reluctant tone to a stubborn one, lifting his brows. My heart pangs, affection breaking through the constant fog of sadness clouding my mind.
“You shouldn’t be worried about me. You need to focus on hockey. This isn’t helping to split yourself like this. You need torest and prepare for playoffs, not spend hours on the road just to see me for a little bit.”
“It’s fine. I can handle it.”
I lick my lips, tugging on his sweater. “Please, Easton. I don’t want you to sacrifice your dreams for me.”
He clasps my chin between his fingers, lifting it to make me look him in the eye. I swallow at his serious expression.
“I’m focused on the most important part of my future. That’s not a sacrifice at all.” His chin dips and his eyes bounce between mine. “You, Maya.”
Damn him. My throat constricts and I sniffle, eyes watering for the millionth time this week.
“I don’t want to cry again. I’ve cried so much.”
His expression softens and he cradles my face between his hands. “I know. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” His thumbs caress my cheeks. “I’m not going anywhere, so lean on me, baby, because you’ll always have me to hold you up when you need help.”
I slide my arms around him, burying my face against his chest.
“I love you,” he murmurs.
My arms tighten. I get it now, why he says it so often. We never know when it will be the last time we get to say it, so we have to make every moment count.
This headstrong, cocky man swept into my life and turned it upside down. He taught me what it’s like to love harder than I ever thought possible. I wouldn’t give him up for anything.
“I love you more,” I confess.
“Impossible.”
“Well, we have the rest of our lives together to see who wins this time.”
His chest shakes with his chuckle. “Challenge accepted.”
I press on tiptoe and he meets me in a kiss.
The funeral is on Wednesday. Because of the short notice, we end up having the events out of order due to the church and the funeral home being overbooked. The viewing is after today’s memorial service, then the burial is tomorrow.
I sit through the service tucked into Ryan’s side. Dad gives the eulogy, but Mom has to finish it for him when he becomes too emotional to speak about his father’s life.
Easton doesn’t make it until just before the viewing in the afternoon. He’s partway through changing into a suit when I go outside to meet him. Ryan hands him a jacket he brought with him while Easton buttons up his shirt.
“Thanks. I didn’t want to be wrinkled when I got here.”
“Thanks for coming.” Ryan rubs his nape. “It’s got to be tough to drive back and forth right before playoffs. I know everything you’ve been doing the last few days means a lot to her.”
“Of course I came. She needs me, I’m there.” Easton’s gaze finds me and he strides over. “Hey. I’m sorry I missed the service. We had a team meeting that ran long.”
I shake my head, stepping into his embrace when he opens his arms. “This is good.”
His cheek rests against the top of my head. “How are you holding up?”
I shrug. “Sucky.”
